It might be permanently, or it might only be for the weekend. Either way Liam Reddox walked out of Rexall Place tonight carrying his hockey bag, so he will going to Springfield to try and help the Falcons win some games.

Reddox and Gilbert Brule should help the Falcons, and they will also stay sharp if they are needed back in Edmonton after the all-star break.

Other tidbits

Zack Stortini is already back skating and is eyeing a possible return next Friday versus the Wild. Stortini’s ability to avoid a serious injury is still amazing to most. He said he is feeling great, and that the torn muscle is healing nicely.

It has been a long time since a player dominated a game for the Oilers the way Hemsky did tonight. He made it look easy.

“No deception whatsoever,” said a stunned Sheldon Souray. “He throws in the odd toe drag to make guys look stupid and that’s it. It’s great to have him on our side. He’s an elite player and his performance has spoken for itself all season. He misses ten games, comes back and totally dominates the games. I’m jealous."

Most adjectives to describe Hemsky ranged from sick, unreal, unbelievable, astonishing and even a joking envy. That was the best game I can remember Hemsky playing. He has had great goals before, but almost every shift he dominated and looked on a completely different level than anyone else.

What makes tonight even more incredible is that he isn’t on the all-star team. Quickly: name the players in the west who can dangle as well as Hemsky. Datsyuk, Kane and that's it off the top of my head. There are other great players, but few who can make it look that easy.

At worst the Oilers will wake up tied for sixth in the west tomorrow morning and I don’t know who will be more stunned them or the fans. The anticipation from fans for the game versus Buffalo will be huge, because tonight Hemsky left everyone from teammates, media and fans waiting to see what his next performance will bring.

Enjoy it fans, you might be witnessing the emergence of true superstar, and a player that will energize Rexall Place in ways it hasn’t seen in a long time. Tonight after he scored the game winning goal, the fans chanted HEM-SKY, HEM-SKY. I can’t recall another game where his name was chanted with such vigor and excitement.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Doan or Brown over Hemsky? What? Tkachuk made it? What? When will Hemsky be recognized? What does he have to do? Is it because he plays in Edmonton? I can't understand why he isn't at the All Star game. He's been solid all year. And yet he's snubbed. Sick.

@ Smokin’ Ray:
One guy from every team in the conference….
Sure makes a whole lot of sense to have Modano at the game and not Hemmer????

The stupid part is that it isn't a league mandated rule that every team has to represented anymore, but this year they just decided to have a player from every team. It is stupid in my mind because it is not the best players, but at the same time Oiler fans should be happy he isn't going. He can rest and be ready for the stretch run. The game itself is a joke, but the recognition that he is on even keel with the other best players in the league would be good for Hemsky.

What? When will Hemsky be recognized? What does he have to do? Is it because he plays in Edmonton?

I kind of like the fact he isn't as respected as he should be. Hopefully it means teams come unprepared and don't check him as tight as they should. That said I think we are witnessing a breakout year for Hemmer and chances are as the season progesses he get a lot more attention.

UN-BE-LEAVE-ABLE!
I have to admit, before the goal by Grebs I figured we were down and out. I have to wonder, how did we manage without Hemmer for 10 games without him? This kid is the most exciting thing to happen to this team since I've been watching in '79 other than the "glory years". It's awfully refreshing to have some hope that the game is never really lost. "Hemmer can come through!"
For the first time in a long time with conviction, GOILERS!!!

@ Jason Gregor:
Gregs,
How much of an impact do you think the play of Hemsky will have in attracting a big name forward in the off season (if we are even trying to)?
I guess it can’t hurt, that’s for sure.

You answered it. It won't hurt that is for sure, but it will be really tough this offseason, because there is so much uncertainty about the 2010/2011 season and what the cap will be at. Teams will have to be ultra careful, and the Oilers will need to be because Gagner and Cogliano will need new deals prior to the start of 2010/2011.

I was composing a list of players myself before I read this post, not of who got the All-Star nod ahead of Hemmer, just players that have just flat out CRUSHED the opposition like that on their own. In the last couple of years maybe Datsuk, Ovie, Malkin, and Nash. It was completely off the charts. Im still wearing a sh!t-eating grin and will be until the Edmonton Hemsky's take the ice again.

After grebs goal with 5mins left I just felt something was building... As Hemsky took the pass up the boards from Penner I was thinking...Just shoot just shoot! and he did! Mason was screened a bit on the shot but on the replay it was a perfectly palce top corner shot. Mason barely waved at it with his blocker! The happy smile on Hemsky's face was priceless, pure joy and exultation! Looks like they are having fun.

SWEEEEET! as for not making the all star selection, who cares it is a waste of three hours on the weekend, I'll be at a WHL game with my two boys.

I get a kick out of his goal celebrations. It's like "Yep...scored. Wooo."

...not much fanfare, a little fist pump, a tiny smirk....no riding of the stick to center ice, no jumping into the corner glass, no tossing a glove in the air and pretending to shoot it down with a hockey stick rifle ...just quiet and reserved.

Seriously though, what amazes me about Hemmer is he'll skate into the opposition's end and it doesn't even look like he's skating that fast, and then all of a sudden he'll be past both defensemen. He's so smooth he tricks the other team into thinking he's not skating, then he's gone...poof.

First, need to recognize that Hemmer and Ovechkin are two different players - but one thing they have in common is that quick release from the high slot using screens that completely catches netminders off guard.

Would be nice to see Ovechkin and Hemsky compared at the allstar game. But let's not take the allstar game seriously, its nothing but an opportunity to shoot new NHL.com videos (while all the popular players are together) and demonstrate only one demension of the game.

This is a diferent team with him in the line up, crazy diferent. I haven't always been a beleiver.....BUT I AM CONVERTED THIS SEASON. This guy has truly been dominant, and ya, why isn't he an ALLSTAR? Imagine, after everything that this team has been this season, to wake up, going into the break, playing good (great?) hockey and in a playoff position!!!! This is SWEET!!!!!

Enjoy it fans, you might be witnessing the emergence of true superstar, and a player that will energize Rexall Place in ways it hasn’t seen in a long time. Tonight after he scored the game winning goal, the fans chanted HEM-SKY, HEM-SKY. I can’t recall another game where his name was chanted with such vigor and excitement.

Joe Sakic said that Hemsky is the smoothest player in the game. That says it all for me.

When did Marty say that? hyuk hyuk hyuk

Saw the highlights this morning. I am onboard the Hemsky Superstar train now, that is if there is any room. His goals lately have been beautiful. Have him and Brule been practicing the backhand to top corner play?

I'm glad he's not considered an all-star, because the last thing the team needs is Hemmer getting hurt like Horcoff last year.

At least we don't have to worry about negotiating his deal in the off-season. A few people (not everyone) questioned Lowe when we offered Hemsky 25M a couple years ago. It's looking pretty sweet now to have this guy under contract through the 11-12 season.

I posted this in the Lecavalier a few days ago when Gregor was saying you take Lecavalier over Hemsky:

Jason,
Maybe in the past. Not today.
This year Hemsky’s ppg is 1.05.
Vinny’s is 0.91.
Less points at half the price.
Also Vinnie is 28 and Hemsky is 25.
With the salaries being equal and you had to start a franchise today, you couldn’t make a great argument for Vinnie over Hemmer today.
Last year maybe. Two years ago for sure.
With the salaries as they are, you take Hemsky and its not even close.

Except today Hemsky is 1.14 and Vinnie is 0.96.

Loved how Penner went straight at the net and took the two defencemen with him allowing Hemmer to coast to the dot before picking the top corner on the winning goal.

After the game one reporter asked him if he's shooting more now, and Hemksy just brushed him off with "well that's only something you guys bring up"

Hemsky is 3rd on the team in shots with 108. If you use shots per game he's 2nd with 3sh/g only behind Souray with 3.2sh/g.

Nice to see that the reporter knows as much as idiots who yell "SHOOOOOOOOOT" when he has the puck on the powerplay. Was that Tencer who asked the question or a fishwrap guy?

I might have to change my name, but not just yet. From the Dept of Redundantly Obvious, Id still like to see this guy on a line with Hemsky. It would make Gags or Horcoff expendible although I think Horcs contract sees him in Oilers silks until the leafs with the cup.

After the game one reporter asked him if he’s shooting more now, and Hemksy just brushed him off with “well that’s only something you guys bring up”
Hemsky is 3rd on the team in shots with 108. If you use shots per game he’s 2nd with 3sh/g only behind Souray with 3.2sh/g.

The question was that this year he has taken a more shooter first mentality, and it is paying off. It was directed at the entire year, not just the one game. Hemsky did actually shoot more last year too, but since game 11 he has really started shooting.

He has the most accurate shot on the team, and the scary part about it is it looks effortless. His snapshot/wrister is so fluid, that it is hard for goalies to guess when and where his release point is. Roloson and I talked about it one day, and he said Hemsky's shot is very deceptive because his body doesn't move much when he shoots, and it is hard to pick up when he releases it. I've never been a goalie and hadn't thought of it that way, but the more you watch him, what Roloson said makes a lot of sense.

@ Darcy:
Lets not jump the gun comparing Hemsky to Vinny.
Vinny is a proven top 3 player in the world.
Hemsky well to reach another tier is yet to be determined. 35 games doesnt make a player top in the world. Remember Cheechoo??

Allow me to be excited dammit!!!!

I know Hemsky has to put a couple seasons like this together to offically get in that conversation, but I have no doubt he will do it.

Vinnie is one of the best, but as others have said in this thread and the Vinnie thread, he's not top 10 in the league anymore.

Hemsky has the skills to be a forty goal scorer if he can stay healthy and play at a high level consistantly. Last night Hemmer played twenty minutes of the best hockey I have ever seen from him...
In the past, MacT has limited Hemsky's ice time. I'd bet the bank Hemmer sees twenty plus minutes a night from now on. Awesome effort Ales!

The question was that this year he has taken a more shooter first mentality, and it is paying off. It was directed at the entire year, not just the one game. Hemsky did actually shoot more last year too, but since game 11 he has really started shooting.
He has the most accurate shot on the team, and the scary part about it is it looks effortless. His snapshot/wrister is so fluid, that it is hard for goalies to guess when and where his release point is. Roloson and I talked about it one day, and he said Hemsky’s shot is very deceptive because his body doesn’t move much when he shoots, and it is hard to pick up when he releases it. I’ve never been a goalie and hadn’t thought of it that way, but the more you watch him, what Roloson said makes a lot of sense.

Agreed that his release is sick. Very fast, very subtle, very accurate. His use of defensemen as a screen when he comes in 1 on 1 and shoots is impressive as well. Makes a move outside then picks his spot and shoots the puck either between the legs or beside the leg of the defenseman. Have seen some goals like that this year by him where the goalie didn't even move.

Reminds you of Joe Sakic's amazingly quick and accurate snap shot, but Hemsky's wrister is even more subtle.